State infant mortality rate declines

In recent years, Oklahoma has seen its infant mortality rate decline, although the state saw one of the smallest declines in the country, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday.

Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate — the number of babies who don’t live to their first birthday — has historically been higher than other states.

The CDC report notes that, from 2005 to 2007, Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate was among the top 10 highest in the country — a rate of 8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

The state saw that rate decline almost 8 percent from 2012 to 2014. During that time, Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate was 7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Although Oklahoma saw a decline, other states made greater gains. For example, Missouri saw its infant mortality rate decline by 14 percent. Kansas saw a 16 percent decline.

Even with the progress in Oklahoma, the state had the fourth highest infant mortality rate in the country from 2012 to 2014.

Infant mortality is considered a basic measure of public health for countries around the world, the CDC report notes.

Overall, Oklahoma ranks No. 46 in the U.S. for its poor health behaviors and outcomes, according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings report.

Joyce Marshall, director of maternal and child health at the state Health Department, said through targeted public health initiatives, Oklahoma has seen progress in decreasing its infant mortality rate, especially among racial and ethnic minorities.

In 2013, the infant mortality rate among black babies in Oklahoma County was 13 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, almost twice as high as the rate among white babies. Statewide, the infant mortality rate among black babies was almost 17 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Marshall said the infant mortality rate among black babies in Oklahoma declined by 9 percentduring the same time period as the CDC study and continues to decrease.

“While the rate still remains unacceptably high, the black-white infant death disparity ratio did decrease by onethird,” she said.

Marshall said to combat the infant mortality rate, public health workers have focused on helping mothers quit smoking and providing portable cribs, which ensures a baby has a safe space to sleep.

Additionally, they’ve given mothers sleep sacks, which essentially are wearable sleeping bags for babies. Blankets can suffocate a child, and these sleep sacks provide a safe alternative to keep a child warm, Marshall said.

These efforts have helped Oklahoma lower its preterm birth rate, a contributing factor to infant mortality, from 13 percent in 2012 to 10 percent in 2016.

Marshall said overall, the state has more work to do, including ensuring that more women have access to prenatal care.

“We really need to up the rate of seeing (women) from the first trimester on,” Marshall said.